There shall be a Department of Mental Health headed by a Director
appointed on the basis of her administrative experience and qualifications
for the duties of office. Such qualifications shall meet the standards
fixed by the State Commissioner of Mental Hygiene and the Mental Hygiene
Law of the state. The Director of the Department of Mental Health
shall be appointed by the County Executive, subject to confirmation
by the County Legislature as provided in Section 302(c) of this Charter,
and serve at the pleasure of the County Executive.
Except as otherwise provided in this Charter, the Director of
Mental Health shall have all the powers and perform all the duties
now or hereafter conferred or imposed upon a director of a community
services board by applicable law. She shall perform such other duties
as may be required or delegated to her by the County Executive or
the County Legislature.
There shall be a Community Services Board which shall be appointed
by the County Legislature. The composition of such board in relation
to the number of members and the professional, governmental, or other
representation, and the terms of such members, shall be as provided
in the Mental Hygiene Law of the state for a community services board.
Pursuant to the provisions of such law, such members may be reappointed
without limitation The Community Services Board shall recommend and
suggest to the County Legislature and County Executive a program of
community mental health services and facilities, adopt rules and regulations
concerning the condition or operation of services and facilities in
the community mental health program, and exercise such other powers
and duties as are prescribed in the Mental Hygiene Law of the state.
The Board shall also advise the County Legislature with respect to
the qualifications of candidates appointed to the position of Director
of Mental Health.
